PARIS: French police officers protested on Thursday for additional pay during the upcoming Paris Olympics, raising concerns about potential strikes and disruptions to the Games.
In an effort to safeguard the country’s image, French authorities are in negotiations with various public sector trade unions, all seeking bonuses for their members working during the July 26-August 11 Olympic period.
Amid the threat of strikes, several police unions encouraged officers to engage in “minimum activity” on the designated “Black Thursday” of protests. Demonstrations were organized in front of the main Paris police station, with hundreds more taking place nationwide.
The Alliance union, in a statement, emphasized the need for “exceptional measures” for the extraordinary event and requested up to 2,000 euros ($2,200) as compensation for lost holidays and additional work during the summer Games.
Lionel Maunier, a regional Alliance union leader, expressed the challenges faced by officers, stating, “We only know that everyone has been asked to work, but we’ve got kids. We don’t know how we’re going to manage.”
The first protest on January 10 involved dozens of officers driving around Paris in open-top buses, some displaying a flag featuring the Olympic rings as handcuffs.
